Plankz Buoyancy Engine

ABSTRACT

The Plankz Buoyancy Engine is a machine that captures buoyancy forces on floats in a liquid column and converts it to rotational energy that can be used to drive other equipment or generate electricity. This invention uses separate ingenious systems for the float, drive system and valve mechanism to ensure optimal energy extraction. Additionally, a gravity assist system returns liquid exhausted by valve operation to the liquid column to maintain a net energy gain.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

Not Applicable

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

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REFERENCE TO SEQUENCE LISTING, A TABLE, OR A COMPUTER PROGRAM LISTING COMPACT DISK APPENDIX

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FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention is in the field of power generation. More specifically, this invention captures lift energy due to buoyancy and transfers it to mechanical rotation. The mechanical rotation can be used to power various devices including electrical generators.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The buoyancy forces on objects submerged in liquids is significant and utilized in day to day events like sailing ships and flotation devices. However, to date, attempts to transform buoyancy forces to dynamic power generation has not been successfully demonstrated.

A common approach is typified in a 1929 U.S. Pat. No. 1,708,807 as well as in a more recent US Patent 2008/0028760. The approach described in these patents utilize a connected chain of flotation devices passing through a liquid column, with a sealing device at the bottom of the column to reduce liquid loss. Difficulties in these designs are due to high forces on floats entering at the bottom of liquid column that slowed the connected floats and effectively neutralized energy capture. Liquid loss at the seal also contributed to energy inefficiency, and the systems required liquid replenishment for continuous operation which negatively impacted commercial feasibility.

Another approach typified by a 1938 U.S. Pat. No. 2,135,110 and a more recent 1980 U.S. Pat. No. 4,326,132 utilize a connected chain of buckets submerged in liquid. A stream of air is injected into a bucket at the lowest point in the chain to provide lift. Difficulties in this approach is the cost of providing the compressed air and the rate at which air can injected into the buckets to obtain a net energy gain from the device.

The invention described in this application utilizes an innovative seal system to introduce floats at the bottom of a liquid column, but utilizes independent floats that drives a belt system to capture the buoyancy forces. This design captures the buoyancy forces from all the floats without losses incurred when introducing a new float into the liquid column. The seal system proposed, that is integrated with the floats, also ensures a high rate of float introduction that is essential for high power generation. This invention additionally includes a liquid recovery system that harnesses gravity to recycle liquid losses from the seal and significantly reduces the need for virgin liquid replenishment.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is a system that captures the buoyancy forces from rising floats in a liquid column and transfers it to mechanical motion of a continuous belt, which can be captured to drive other equipment, or for power generation.

In one aspect of the invention, a special seal system introduces floats into the bottom of a liquid column.

In another aspect of the invention, the floats rising in the liquid column are captured by a continuous belt system. The buoyancy forces of the rising floats cause the continuous belt to move, turning support Drive Wheels that retain the continuous belt. The movement of the rotating belt provides power that can be used to drive equipment or generators.

In another aspect of the invention, liquid losses through the seal system are recovered with the assistance of gravity.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 gives an trimetric view of the working components of the invention. Support members, cowling, sensing and control elements are not shown so as to provide an unobstructed view of the mechanisms being described. Portions of the walls of liquid containers are cut-away for the same reason.

FIG. 2 shows a trimetric detail of the Float Return Valve, also with a cut-away to show internal components.

FIG. 3 shows an isometric illustration of the liquid recovery system.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The Plankz Buoyancy Engine is a machine that captures buoyancy forces on floats submerged in a liquid column, to move a continuous belt. The motion of the continuous belt causes the Drive Wheels supporting the continuous belt to turn. The rotational motion of the supporting Drive Wheels can be used to power other devices and to generate electricity.

FIG. 1 shows an overview of the components of the invention. The invention can be sub-divided into three functional areas A, B and C with A being the Drive System, B the Float Return System and C the Liquid Recovery System.

The Drive System consists of a continuous belt made up of a series of connected bridges 2, supported on Drive Wheel Assemblies 3. Floats 1 are spherical balls that fit on 2 and maintained in position by guides, not shown in the drawing. The path of the continuous belt is designed such that it picks up floats at the bottom of the Liquid Column 4. Floats exert an upward force on the bridges, causing the continuous belt to move in the direction D. In operation of the machine, the Floats will move along the Continuous Belt until it reaches the position E, where the Floats fall into the Float Return System.

The Float Return System is contained in the Overflow Tank 6. Floats leaving the Drive System, move along the Feed Tube 7, into the Float Return Valve 5. FIG. 2 gives details of the Float Return Valve. The outer body of 5 is a 90-degree bend 8 fitted with an Inlet/Outlet Connector 9. Integral to the operation of 5 are the four seals S1, S2, S3 and S4. To explain the operation of 5, we start at the position illustrated in FIG. 2, which shows three Floats B1, B2 and B3 in place, with the all four seals pressing against the mating Float, and liquid filling the space on top of B1, as well as the space between B1 and B3. The next sequence of operation of 5 is as follows:

-   -   I. The seal of S1 is released causing B1 to rise into Liquid         Column because of its buoyancy, where it pushes against the         Bridges of the Continuous Belt.     -   II. S1 is restored to the seal position.     -   III. S2 is released causing B2 to rise due to buoyancy forces,         where it is stopped by S1 which is in the seal position.     -   IV. S2 is restored to the seal position so that B2 is now sealed         between S1 and S2.     -   V. The liquid between B2, (now held between S1 and S2), and B3         (which is sealed by S3 and S4), is exhausted through 9.     -   VI. S3 is released causing B3 to roll into the curved portion of         8.     -   VII. S3 is restored to the seal position.     -   VIII. S4 is released allowing a new Float from 7 to stop against         S3.     -   IX. S4 is restored to the seal position.     -   X. The space between B2 and the new Float sealed between S3 and         S4 is filled with liquid.

At this stage, 5 is restored to the condition at the start of the above sequence and the process can be repeated.

The liquid lost in sequence V described above is recovered by C illustrated in FIG. 3. The port P2 is connected to 6. The port P1 is connected to the liquid supply by valve V3. Port P3 is connected to 4. Port P4 is connected to a vacuum. Port P5 is open to the atmosphere. C utilizes the principle of gravity where a liquid column in vacuum, would rise the equivalent of atmospheric pressure. A series of valves V1, V2, V4, V5 and flow sensors F1 and F2, would detect liquid levels and control movement of liquid from 6 and return it to 4. V9 is a fluid gas separator to restrict liquid flow to the vacuum. Where the liquid column is higher than an atmospheric column, multiple units of C can be used to move liquid to refill 4.

The machine will additionally be fitted with support, safety, esthetic and control elements as well as varying mechanisms to capture energy and transfer power.

The advantages of the present invention, without limitation, are:

-   -   a) It provides a pollution free source of power that is         constant, reliable and comparatively inexpensive. Other green         energy solutions like Solar and Wind are highly variable in         output due to environmental conditions.     -   b) The Plankz Buoyancy Engine can be used in any location on         earth as well inside buildings. Other green energy solutions         like Solar and Wind have limitations based on climatic         conditions and require outdoor placement.     -   c) It does not require fuel for its operation as is the case for         back-up generators based on the internal combustion engine.     -   d) The liquid medium expelled during cycling of the machine is         largely recovered with the assistance of gravity, so that the         machine shows a net positive energy output. Liquid lost is         limited to evaporative losses.     -   e) In cases where the utilities offer power buy-back programs,         the Plankz Buoyancy Engine can generate revenue.

While the foregoing written description of the invention enables one of ordinary skill to make and use what is considered presently to be the best mode thereof, those of ordinary skill will understand and appreciate the existence of variations, combinations, and equivalents of the specific embodiment, method, and examples herein. The invention should therefore not be limited by the above described embodiment, method, and examples, but by all embodiments and methods within the scope and spirit of the invention as claimed. 

1. A Plankz Buoyancy Engine that provides energy by capturing buoyancy forces on floats 1 and converting it to rotational motion that can be used to generate electrical power or drive other equipment, and comprising: a) A Drive System. b) A Float Return System. c) A Liquid Recovery System.
 2. The Plankz Buoyancy Engine of claim 1 that uses spherical floats of sufficient rigidity to cycle through the machine as it pushes against the bridge 2 of the Drive System and creates a liquid seal when interacting with the seals S1, S2, S3 and S4 of the Float Return System.
 3. The Plankz Buoyancy Engine of claim 1 that has a Liquid Column 4 with an entry hole at the bottom for passage of the Floats and other ports for entry and exit of liquid in the column as well as control devices to measure and maintain the state of the liquid in the column.
 4. The Plankz Buoyancy Engine of claim 1 that has a drive system consisting of a continuous belt and Drive Wheel Assemblies
 3. The belt carries a series of interconnected bridges
 2. 5. A method of moving the belt of the drive system whereby floats in the liquid column pushes against the bridges of the belt causing the belt to move.
 6. The Plankz Buoyancy Engine of claim 1 that has a Float Return Section that collects the floats on exit from the Drive System and feeds the floats through a valve 5 into the liquid column.
 7. The Plankz Buoyancy Engine of claim 1 that creates a fast sealing effect in the valve by interaction of seals on floats.
 8. A method of feeding the floats through valve, while minimizing the loss of liquid, by controlling the sequence of opening and closing the seals in the valve, acting progressively on three floats in the valve.
 9. The Plankz Buoyancy Engine of claim 1 that controls the opening and closing of the seals in the valve by pneumatic, mechanical, electrical, electronic or magnetic means or an unrestricted combination thereof.
 10. The Plankz Buoyancy Engine of claim 1 that has a Liquid recovery System that returns liquid exhausted by the valve, to the liquid column.
 11. A method of returning liquid from the overflow tank to the liquid column by the application of a vacuum to create an atmospheric column and the use of sensors and valves to manage the liquid flow.
 12. The Plankz Buoyancy Engine of claim 1 that has support, safety, esthetic, control and other working elements to provide safe, efficient and reliable operation. 